WEEK 15 – DAY 4 – WANTED: HARVEST LABORERS

Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. Luke 10:2

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-12

Jesus commissioned seventy disciples to go out as pairs to spread the Gospel. Two would be able to encourage one another as they traveled on this mission, and it would be safer than traveling alone (even though we know the Lord protected them). Not only were they to go themselves, but He commanded them to pray that the Lord of the harvest would send out more reapers. The field is the world full of people who need Jesus. Lest we think that only those who walked the earth with Jesus or only those called to full-time ministry are to work the fields and bring in the harvest, we need to read Ephesians 4:11-12 above. The full-time minister’s job is to equip the congregation to serve. We are all to work the field—sowing, watering, and reaping. We are all to plant the seeds of God’s word in the people we meet, encourage those who are interested in the word of God, and have the joy of praying with individuals as they surrender their lives to Jesus. We are all laborers, and we all need to pray that the Lord will raise up even more laborers. However, when you pray that the Lord sends out more harvesters, be prepared to go out into the field yourself! Remember, when the Lord calls you to work, He is working alongside you making the burden light (Matthew 11:30).

Father, may we all know the joy of “bringing in the sheaves” as the old hymn says. May we have the pleasure of introducing others to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Lord, as we serve You in this way, we pray You will bring others alongside us to encourage and be encouraged.